Claims of eco-lobby dismissed

I am afraid all the "green" myths have been exploded by scientists who find that efforts to save the environment simply result in more damage.

Cloth nappies cost more in energy than disposable ones, due to water, heat and the detergents required to clean them.

Diesel trains are more polluting in terms of emissions and oil leaks (just look at the tracks in a station, with no soil batches to break spillages down) than using a 4x4 for the average family journey.

Walking or cycling is more damaging to the environment than driving, because the extra calories burned up have to be replaced by more food, that needs extra energy inputs, causing CO2.

Organic food production is the most wasteful in terms of resources and CO2 emissions, because organic cows produce less milk and belch more methane, likewise with organic beef.

Vegetarians don't help either because their diet produces 10 times more methane.

The light output for low energy bulbs is only a third of the conventional bulb, so you would need three to replace one, hardly a saving, never mind the mercury released when such a bulb is smashed. In terms of eyesight damage, the poor light of low energy bulbs costs the health service.

They are not my fantasies or some anti-green agenda, but are the published findings of Defra and scientists.

The USA has found that conventional recycling is far more wasteful than simply landfilling or burning.

Heads should be knocked together!

W F Kerswell, Picklescott